What Germans think about electric cars and renewable energy

Fuel prices and electricity costs at record highs, calls for more climate protection are growing louder across generations. But how do consumers really feel about electromobility and renewable energies? The E-Mobilität-Portal EFAHRER.com together with the solar offerer Zolar asked scarcely 1,800 persons.

Easy on the wallet and the climate

Those who decide to buy a solar system or an electric car do so for two reasons: Cost savings and environmental protection. A photovoltaic system and an electric car are good for your wallet and the climate in the long term. 68 percent of those surveyed decided in favor of their own electric car for climate protection reasons, followed by 54 percent (multiple answers possible) for whom the purchase was primarily driven by cost savings. What still speaks against the purchase of an electric car for many today are the higher purchase costs (38 percent) and the shorter range of the electric cars (37 percent). The reasons for buying a solar power system are similar: In addition to saving on electricity costs (68 percent) and environmental aspects (66 percent), independence from conventional electricity providers is important to 59 percent of those surveyed. 

Strong demand for electromobility

Interest in electromobility is high. Almost half of those surveyed (48 percent) have already driven a plug-in hybrid or an e-car. 37 percent have not yet had the opportunity but show great interest. The percentage of actual e-car owners is lower. About one in four respondents (24 percent) already owns an electric car or plug-in hybrid. Among them, satisfaction with their vehicle is high: 83 percent are very satisfied with their e-car, and only three percent have had a bad experience.  

Solar refueling is a trend

53 percent of respondents who already drive an e-car or are planning to buy one consider it important that their own car runs on solar power. Around half of them (48 percent) plan to purchase a wallbox for this purpose. This is the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective way of conveniently recharging the car via the home's own photovoltaic system. 

Based on a vehicle like the Hyundai IONIC, with a consumption of 16.3 kWh per 100 kilometers, drivers without a PV system would pay the equivalent of around 5.20 euros per 100 kilometers. If, on the other hand, the car runs on solar power from the roof of the house, the cost of the same distance is only 1.30 euros. A saving of around 3.90 euros per 100 kilometers. 

Great interest for solar energy

45 percent of respondents are interested in having their own solar system, and 27 percent already produce solar power from their own roof.  When choosing a solar provider, two factors in particular play a decisive role: the price-performance ratio (63 percent) and that all services come from a single source (44 percent). When it comes to the type of purchase, there is a clear trend: the vast majority of respondents (70 percent) would opt to buy a solar system. About 18 percent prefer to finance a photovoltaic solution and only about 11 percent consider renting a photovoltaic system.   

For those interested in all aspects of solar systems, EFAHRER.com is organizing a free webinar together with zolar on November 16th: To the Event Page